Elden Ring Nightreign's Network Test Reveals Unexpected Inspiration: God of War: Ascension

The recent network tests for Elden Ring Nightreign, the upcoming multiplayer spin-off, revealed a surprising inspiration: 2013's often-overlooked God of War: Ascension. Unlike the open-world Elden Ring, Nightreign adopts a streamlined survival format, pitting three-player teams against waves of enemies and bosses in shrinking maps, reminiscent of Fortnite's battle royale style.

While Ascension is often considered the black sheep of the God of War franchise, its multiplayer mode, "Trial of the Gods," shares significant similarities with Nightreign. Both feature cooperative PvE gameplay where teams face increasingly difficult enemies and bosses from previous titles (Hercules in Ascension, Nameless King in Nightreign, for example). Both also incorporate countdown timers and shrinking/confined map designs.

The parallels extend beyond core gameplay mechanics. Both games, developed by studios primarily known for single-player experiences, feature increased player speed, enhanced jumping capabilities, and automated parkour elements, creating a fast-paced, action-oriented experience. This contrasts sharply with the deliberate pacing of their respective single-player counterparts. The absence of Torrent in Nightreign, for example, is compensated by increased movement speed and jump height, mirroring similar adjustments in Ascension's multiplayer.

The network tests generated overwhelmingly positive feedback, with players describing the experience as a thrilling race against time, demanding quick reflexes and strategic resource management. This heightened challenge, absent in the more forgiving base Elden Ring, reintroduces a level of difficulty reminiscent of FromSoftware's earlier titles while offering the satisfying power fantasy of Ascension's Trial of the Gods.

What game had the best now-forgotten multiplayer mode?

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The unexpected connection between Nightreign and Ascension highlights the cyclical nature of game design, demonstrating how seemingly disparate genres can share underlying mechanics and inspire innovative approaches to multiplayer experiences.